WORCESTERSHIRE will face another member of the Australian Ashes squad this week when they head to Glamorgan for their County Championship clash in Cardiff.
Having gone head-to-head with Steve Smith last week in the draw with Sussex, Marnus Labuschagne will provide this week's challenge for The Pears.
The Australian batsman was in fine form during last week's draw with Derbyshire, scoring 65 and 170* in his two innings as he continues his preparations for this year's Ashes Series with England.
But Alan Richardson's men will also have to contend with another Australian in the form of pace bowler Michael Neser, who too had a brilliant game against Derbyshire.
Neser became the first Glamorgan bowler since Robert Croft in 2010 to take a hat-trick, as he recorded career-best bowling figures of 7/32 in the first innings.
The hosts this week have not won a game this season as of yet, but have not been beaten either, so they will want to end that run and record their first victory.
"We have been a bit up and down in terms of results. We haven’t lost a game yet, or won! We are just trying to find that consistency," said head coach David Lloyd.
"I think the last couple of games we have found that. The performances have improved so there’s a lot to look forward to this week.
"Timm and Ness have been incredible this season so far, but to see James Harris and Jamie McIlroy bowl the way did was great, as they work extremely hard to get better week in and week out."
As for Worcestershire, head coach Richardson has announced an unchanged 12-strong squad to make the trip to Cardiff.
It comprises of the players in action against Sussex plus pace bowler Adam Finch who impressed for the Seconds in last week’s Championship win over Derbyshire at Repton School.
Dillon Pennington will also make the trip to Cardiff to do some rehab work while he recovers from a hamstring injury.
Richardson said: "It is just taking a bit of time. He is going to come down and help out and spend a bit of time with the Strength and Conditioning Coach and the Physio just to get him back up and running and to help out with the boys.
"It’s nothing, hopefully, long term. It’s just about monitoring it as much as possible."
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